So a TeaParty Member, an Occupier, and a Socialist weretraveling together when they decided they were tired andstopped at a Hotel.They went inside and asked the clerk how much for a room.The rooms were $25, but the clerk needed $5 so he could "put 5on it" so he told the protestors the room was $30. Theprotestors agreed to the price and each paid 10 bucks and wentto the room.Later the clerk was feeling guilty so he sent the bellhop with the$5 up to give the protestors their money back.On the way up, the bellhop thought to himself, hey these folksdont know the real amount, so he decided to pocket 2 dollarsand ended up giving the protestors $3 back.The protestors were happy that they each got a dollar backmaking it to where they only paid $9 each.So the protestors each paid $9 for the room and the bellhoptook $2 making the total 29.Where is the other dollar?

Quoting: Anonymous Coward 1653538

At the end of the story, the clerk has 25, the bellhop has 2 and the travelers have 3. Still adds up to the original 30.

The travelers paid 9 each totaling 27, but you don't add the bellhops 2 to that you subtract 2 giving 25, which is what the clerk received.